BARCIA GRABS AHOLD OF EARLY POINTS LEAD WITH A SOLID PODIUM AT SX ROUND 2!
MOSIMAN FINISHES JUST OFF THE 250 PODIUM WITH A SAVAGE PERFORMANCE IN OAKLAND.
Two rounds into the 2022 AMA Supercross Championship and Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing’s Justin Barcia has established himself as a steady front-runner with another third-place finish at Oakland SX.As the only 450SX rider to make two podium appearances in as many rounds, Barcia’s consistency has earned him the early points lead and red numberplate on his MC 450F. Teammate Michael Mosiman is on pace as well, delivering his second-straight heat-race win on the MC 250F and finishing one spot off the podium in front of his hometown crowd in Northern California.
Barcia had a slower start to the day with 13th in qualifying but he was on the gas when the gate dropped for the first bout of racing. Grabbing a top-five start in the heat race aboard his MC 450F, Barcia charged up to fourth early on to position himself for a podium battle later in the race. He made it happen with two laps to go, securing a top-three finish in the heat race.
In the Main Event, Barcia grabbed a top-five start and worked his way into fourth early on. Racing just outside a multi-rider battle for the lead, Barcia patiently waited for his moment to attack and he moved into third just before the midway point. Riding smooth and steady through the checkers, Barcia secured his second-straight podium in Oakland.
Justin Barcia:„I was just riding my race and having fun out there. I got a little tight in the middle but I was able to regroup. I saw Eli coming so I knew I needed to put the hammer down and I really wanted those two in front of me but they rode awesome, AP and Jason. I want to dedicate this race to Fed [Ryan Fedorow], he unfortunately passed away last week, so this is for him and I feel like he would be proud of me tonight. I can’t thank the whole team enough. We’re going to keep coming up here, it was fun tonight!“
In the 250 class, it was another up-and-down night for Michael Mosiman. The day started off great with a second-place qualifying position and he carried that momentum into the heat race with a second-place start aboard the MC 250F. Pressuring the race leader early on, Mosiman made his move out front with two laps to go and he cruised to the finish to claim his second heat-race victory.
With top gate choice for the Main Event, Mosiman didn’t get the greatest start but he charged into a top-five position on the first lap. He clicked off another spot on lap two, and his podium charge came faster than expected when the third-place rider went down ahead of him. After inheriting third, Mosiman was on the gas attempting a pass for second but he ended up sliding out and dropping back to sixth. Clawing his way back with a savage performance, Mosiman just missed the podium with a fourth-place finish.
Michael Mosiman:“It was so good to be back at my hometown race in Oakland representing NorCal, the fans were awesome! It was a fun weekend with the team and a lot of really good racing. I’m a little disappointed with the result but I’m focusing on the positive. I had great speed, my race craft has significantly improved from years past and I think I am one of the best – if not the best – guy in the whoops and that feels good. If you don’t consider the finishes, it’s been fun to mix it up with the guys and I look forward to replicating some of that heat race magic in the main. It’s coming soon, I think everyone knows it and I look forward to the upcoming races.”
The Troy Lee Designs/Red Bull/GASGAS Factory Racing Team will return to racing next Saturday, January 22 for Round 3 in San Diego, California.
Results – 2022 AMA Supercross Championship, Round 2
450SX – Main Event 1. Jason Anderson (Kawasaki) 21 laps; 2. Aaron Plessinger (KTM) +3.366; 3. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) +6.165 … 19. Justin Starling (GASGAS)
250SX West – Main Event 1. Christian Craig (Yamaha) 16 laps; 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) +5.698; 3. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) +9.954; 4. Michael Mosiman (GASGAS) +14.809 … 9. Chris Blose (GASGAS);13. Jerry Robin (GASGAS)
Championship Standings – After Round 2
450SX 1. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 42; 2. Jason Anderson (Kawasaki) 39; 3. Cooper Webb (KTM) 39
250SX West 1. Christian Craig (Yamaha) 52pts; 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 44; 3. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) 44; 4. Michael Mosiman (GASGAS) 36; 10. Chris Blose (GASGAS) 26
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